Compositions and Methods for Controlling Pathogens in Livestock Production Operations

Abstract

The subject invention provides disinfectant compositions and methods of using these compositions for controlling disease in livestock production operations. In one embodiment, a disinfectant composition is provided for controlling disease-causing pathogens in an animal feeding operation (AFO), such as a chicken coop or barn. In preferred embodiments, the composition comprises one or more beneficial microorganisms and/or growth by-products thereof, such as biosurfactants, and is applied inside an enclosure using thermal fogging.

1 . A disinfectant composition comprising a biosurfactant-producing yeast and/or bacteria and/or a growth by-product thereof, a carrier and, optionally, a fog promoter. 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the yeast is  Starmerella bombicola  or  Wickerhamomyces anomalus  and wherein the bacteria is  Bacillus subtilis  or  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.    
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , comprising fermentation broth in which the yeast and/or bacteria were grown. 
     
     
         6 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The composition of claim  7 , wherein the biosurfactant is a glycolipid, lipopeptide, fatty acid ester or phospholipid. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the biosurfactant is a sophorolipid and said sophorolipid is present in the composition at a concentration of 0.1% to 0.5%. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is water and/or an alcohol. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , comprising a fog promoter that is a glycerol- or glycol-containing substance. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for controlling a pathogen in an enclosure, the method comprising contacting the pathogen with a composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the enclosure is used for housing, feeding and/or transporting livestock. 
     
     
         17 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the enclosure is a coop or barn used for producing poultry, waterfowl or other birds, or wherein the enclosure is a trailer used for transporting livestock. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the enclosure is a slaughterhouse or a meat packaging facility. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the composition is applied inside the enclosure using a thermal fogger. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the carrier is water and/or an alcohol. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the fog promoter is a glycerol- or glycol-containing substance. 
     
     
         25 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the yeast is  Starmerella bombicola  or  Wickerhamomyces anomalus  and wherein the bacteria is  Bacillus subtilis  or  Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.    
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the composition comprises fermentation broth in which the yeast and/or bacteria were grown. 
     
     
         30 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the biosurfactant is a glycolipid, lipopeptide, fatty acid ester, or phospholipid. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the biosurfactant is a sophorolipid and said sophorolipid is present in the composition at a concentration of 0.1% to 0.5%. 
     
     
         36 - 37 . (canceled)